LKW-Fahrer mit Klemmbrett – Symbolbild für die Dekarbonisierung der Lieferkette

31.03.2025

Supply Chain Decarbonization: How To Achieve Your Climate Goals

Engage suppliers and strategically reduce supply chain emissions – your step-by-step guide to supply chain decarbonization.

Around 80% of a company’s emissions originate in the supply chain, making it a key focus on the path to net zero. But setting climate targets alone isn’t enough. The real challenge is achieving them. This article explores how to make supply chain decarbonization a reality – by turning targets into actions.

Why Is It So Important To Decarbonize Your Supply Chain?

Let’s look at two key reasons why decarbonizing the supply chain should be a top priority for businesses.

Climate Action Is No Longer Optional

Regulations such as CSDDD, EUDR, and CBAM demand greater supply chain transparency, while CSRD’s ESRS E1 standard (Climate Change and Climate Protection) requires companies to set and track emission reduction targets – including Scope 3.

That’s the compliance side. But focusing only on regulations means dealing with bureaucracy without unlocking real business value.

Supply Chain Decarbonization Future-proofs Your Business

Even if your company isn’t legally required to take climate action, proactively reducing emissions pays off.

Three Reasons to act now:

Climate risks disrupt supply chains. Extreme weather events are becoming more frequent, damaging factories, transport routes, and infrastructure. The result? Delays, shortages, and financial losses.
Sustainable products drive competitive advantage. A Capgemini study found that 79% of consumers want to make more sustainable purchasing choices, and 66% actively look for eco-friendly products and services.
ESG commitments are now a key factor in procurement. Large corporations subject to CSRD or CSDDD will require clear ESG data from suppliers. According to the Business Development Bank of Canada, 92% of large companies will demand ESG disclosures from their vendors.

How to assess and decarbonize your supply chain

Step 1: Estimate Scope 3 Emissions

Start by mapping out your supplier network and compiling a spend list and product categories. This helps you estimate emissions across your supply chain.

If precise data is unavailable, start with industry benchmarks and refine your estimates as supplier-specific data becomes available.

Step 2: Identify Hotspots & Assess Supplier Climate Maturity

Next, evaluate which suppliers contribute the most emissions and how advanced their climate strategies are. The VERSO Supply Chain Hub automates this assessment.

Supplier Climate Maturity Levels:

No climate strategy: No decarbonization measures in place.
Low maturity: Some CO₂ reduction efforts, but no structured plan.
Intermediate maturity: Concrete reduction measures exist but aren’t fully embedded in business operations.
High maturity: Decarbonization is systematically integrated into corporate strategy.
Best practice leader: Sustainability has long been a priority, with innovative approaches and industry-leading standards.

Key Assessment Indicators:

Raw material sourcing
Energy & resource efficiency
Use of renewable energy in production & transport
Verified CO₂ offset projects
Voluntary sustainability reporting

By identifying emission hotspots and assessing supplier maturity, you can prioritize action where it’s needed most.

Step 3: Set Climate Targets & Engage Suppliers

Define science-based climate targets aligned with the Paris Agreement and backed by climate research. The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) offers industry-specific guidance.

Once goals are set, it’s time to engage your suppliers. The SBTi recommends a five-step approach:

Communicate climate expectations to suppliers.
Collaborate to align on shared goals.
Support suppliers with knowledge and resources.
Monitor progress through transparent data tracking.
Scale and refine strategies over time.

Pro tip: Involve suppliers from the start to foster collaboration. Decarbonization is a team effort!

Step 4: Implement & Scale Your Climate Strategy

To reach long-term supply chain climate goals, companies must actively support their suppliers in implementing sustainable practices.

Ways to Drive Climate Progress in Your Supply Chain:

Implement targeted measures: Walmart supported suppliers in switching to renewable energy, achieving its supply chain emissions targets six years early.

Provide knowledge & resources: Trainings and tools can improve supplier climate maturity.

Create competitive pressure: Large corporations increasingly demand ESG data, and reporting requirements will expand significantly in the coming years.

Regularly review progress, optimize processes, and keep climate action on the agenda in supplier meetings.

Transparency and accountability are key. Make it clear to your suppliers: Those who don’t commit to sustainability may risk losing business.

That said, low-maturity suppliers won’t transform overnight. But they should demonstrate intent to shift toward sustainable production and logistics. In the long run, climate action strengthens not only the environment but also supply chain resilience.

How to Make Supply Chain Decarbonization Easier

The larger and more complex your supply chain, the harder it is to track emissions and manage climate action. Fragmented data and limited resources create major challenges for procurement teams.

So, how can you achieve your supply chain climate goals efficiently?

With the right tools! The VERSO Climate Hub and VERSO Supply Chain Hub simplify supply chain decarbonization:

VERSO Climate Hub calculates your CO2 footprint across Scope 1, 2, and 3.

VERSO Supply Chain Hub automates supplier climate maturity assessments and collects supplier-specific CO₂ footprints. These insights feed into the Climate Hub, refining your strategy and tracking reductions.

Built-in reporting tools generate compliant reports for GRI/CSRD, CDP, and SBTi.

Manage your Supply Chai Emissions with VERSO

* This information is summarized editorial content and should not be considered legal advice. VERSO assumes no liability.

Holzwürcel, die ein Diagramm mit steigendem Pfeil abbilden: Richtig gemacht, können Nachhaltigkeitesberichte zur Steigerung des Unternehmenserfolgs beitragen

19.11.2024

Sustainability Report – What Is It and What Do You Need to Know?

Some companies are intrinsically motivated to embed ESG within their organization, while others are driven by the CSRD requirements or aim to gain a competitive edge. For all of them, the sustainability report becomes a constant companion on their ESG journey. Here’s an overview of the key terms and requirements for reporting.

What is a sustainability report?

This is the first fundamental question to address. In their sustainability report, companies disclose information on:

Environmental aspects,
Social matters
Corporate governance

The report outlines how external factors impact the company and how the company’s activities affect the environment and society. The first report usually reflects the status quo. However, the report is meant to go beyond that: it also describes strategies, targets, and actions aimed at enhancing sustainability.

The length, structure, and thematic focus of sustainability reports can vary greatly. This depends on the standard you choose. In general, you are free to decide which reporting framework to follow—unless you are bound to mandatory reporting requirements, such as those under the CSRD. In that case, you must comply with specific guidelines and often follow certain standards, such as the ESRS.

Sustainability, ESG, CSR – What’s the difference?

When it comes to reporting, all three terms essentially refer to the same concept: addressing the fundamental responsibility of companies toward the environment and society—now and in the future.

In recent years, the term CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) was widely used in Germany.

CSR describes a company’s responsibility for its impact on society.
In practice, the term was often used to cover all three dimensions of sustainability: environmental, social, and governance aspects.
The focus of CSR is more on the qualitative assessment of a company’s actions regarding sustainability, corporate values, and social engagement.

The term ESG has now become increasingly established.

ESG stands for Environmental, Social, and Governance.
The term originates from the financial sector and focuses primarily on assessing companies based on environmental, social, and governance factors.
Measuring sustainability follows a more quantitative approach.

The broader term sustainability is generally used synonymously with CSR and ESG. It also accurately describes the reporting process, as it covers sustainability across all areas of the business.

You can find more on this topic in our blog post “CSR, ESG, Sustainability – What’s the Difference?”.

When do I have to publish my first sustainability report?

With the new Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), many companies in Germany will soon be required to publish a sustainability report. The reporting obligation is based on criteria such as the number of employees, revenue, and total assets.

Although the first report often requires significant effort and may contain only limited insights into progress and developments, our honest advice is: Start now!

Our CSRD factsheet helps you quickly find out if and when your company is subject to reporting requirements—and what your next steps should be.

How do I create a sustainability report?

The first sustainability report can be demanding. You’re likely doing this for the very first time, with little prior experience—targeted training, such as in the VERSO Academy, can be a great help. You often have no benchmarks yet, no established processes or structures, and still need to find the right reporting software—based on our experience with customers, the list of challenges for a first report is long.

That’s where we come in: With the VERSO ESG Hub, you can create your sustainability report easily and efficiently. To help you get started, we’ve created a hands-on guide “7 Steps to Your CSR Report” that walks you through the process step by step toward a meaningful sustainability report.

For CSRD beginners, we’ve also developed a 10-step guide for your CSRD report and share our tips for efficient data collection. And when it comes to software, you can rely on VERSO for your CSRD reporting: our CSRD Suite offers you an all-in-one solution.

I’m new to the role of ESG Manager:r…

How do I establish sustainability management in my company?

If you’re just starting to work with ESG, this may sound familiar: You have a lot of ideas and initiatives in mind, but you need to align them within a clear, goal-oriented sustainability strategy. You’re also thinking about which targets are realistic and make sense for your business. On top of that, you still need the right processes and metrics to monitor progress.

And above all, three key questions arise:

What does all of this mean for my company?
How do I tackle such a huge topic?
How do I justify my efforts and the necessary resources to management?

Our introductory blog articles on sustainability management are a great starting point. You’ll gain valuable insights into your role and responsibilities as a sustainability manager and get tips on how to communicate effectively with management – showing why sustainability matters for your business.

CSRD, SFDR, EU Taxonomy – What are they, and what’s the background?

With so many regulations, you’ve probably come across terms like CSRD, SFDR, EU Taxonomy, and ESRS. They are all part of the European Green Deal and closely interconnected. The EU aims to strengthen sustainability across the economy through these directives and regulations.

To comply with the CSRD, companies are required to report according to the ESRS—the European standards set by the EU. But how exactly do you apply these standards? Do frameworks like GRI or DNK also meet these requirements? You’ll find the answers in our ESRS Whitepaper.

The SFDR is a sustainability-related disclosure regulation for the financial sector. If you’re unsure whether it applies to your business and what steps to take, our SFDR Factsheet provides the guidance you need.

The EU Taxonomy is a classification system applied within CSRD and SFDR. It defines when an economic activity is considered green, sustainable, or environmentally friendly—creating clarity around sustainability claims. What this classification means for your business and your sustainability work is explained in our EU Taxonomy Whitepaper.

How can I make my company more sustainable?

Start taking action now! The more you can showcase (implemented) measures in your report, the more meaningful your sustainability report will be. Here are a few tips for effective sustainability initiatives in your company.

Communicate your sustainability journey right from the start—and be transparent about areas where action is still needed. This makes your ambitions credible and easier to understand. But be careful not to fall into common greenwashing traps when communicating your efforts. Not only could this damage your reputation, but the EU is also introducing specific anti-greenwashing regulations, such as the Green Claims Directive.

We support you in creating your sustainability report!

Preparing a sustainability report is especially challenging the first time. But with the right tools and solid knowledge, you can save both time and costs. We offer the perfect solution for both: Our training programs provide fresh insights and help you become a sustainability expert. And with our ESG management software, you can quickly and efficiently collect all relevant sustainability data in one place.

* This information is summarized editorial content and should not be considered legal advice. VERSO assumes no liability.

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18.07.2024

Earth Overshoot Day:
3 tips for sustainable resource management

Earth Overshoot Day marks the day on which we humans have used up all the natural resources we are entitled to for the year. Earth Overshoot Day shows us that we must take action! In this blog post, you will find lots of information about Earth Overshoot Day as well as three tips for more sustainable resource management in your company.

Let’s imagine that: At the beginning of August, we have already spent our entire annual salary.
We should now be planning our big summer vacation – but no, there’s not a single cent left.
From now on, we’ll have to live on credit and somehow get by until the end of the year.
Not a nice idea, is it?
The scary thing is: This is exactly how we are treating our planetary resources – and this is what Earth Overshoot Day stands for.
In 2024, Earth Overshoot Day falls on August 1.
All the natural resources that we humans are actually entitled to this year have been used up.
From this day onwards, we will be living at the expense of the future – for another 5 months.
A bitter day?
Absolutely, there’s no denying it.
But it doesn’t help to bury our heads in the sand.
Let’s use the day as a reminder: let’s act now and push Earth Overshoot Day as far back as possible!
Following the information about Earth Overshoot Day, this blog post therefore contains three tips on how you can make your company’s resource management more sustainable.
These simple measures, which every company can implement, actively contribute to environmental and climate protection.

Definition: What is Earth Overshoot Day?

Earth Overshoot Day has been calculated since 1971.
In German, it is also known as Earth Overshoot Day or World Exhaustion Day.
It marks the date on which humanity’s demand for ecological resources and services in one year exceeds what the earth can regenerate in that year.
This is how the WWF describes it, for example.
The overshoot days are calculated globally and nationally – the total global consumption of resources is used or the consumption of a specific country is extrapolated to the global availability of resources.
The calculations for the overshoot days are based on the concept of the ecological footprint.
It describes the biologically productive area on earth that is necessary to enable a person’s lifestyle and standard of living.
In short, it documents how much nature we have and how much we need.
Earth Overshoot Day is calculated by the Footprint Data Foundation, York University and the Global Footprint Network.

Earth Overshoot Day earlier and earlier

It’s no big surprise: Earth Overshoot Day is always earlier, and it has steadily moved forward over the past 50 years.
Since the 2010s, however, it has settled around the beginning of August.

Der Earth Overshoot Day, auf deutsch auch Erdüberlastungstag oder Welterschöpfungstag genannt, fällt 2024 auf den 1. August. Der Tag zeigt, wann wir Menschen alle natürlichen Ressourcen, die uns für dieses Jahr zur Verfügung stehen, aufgebraucht haben. Er ist seit 1971 kontinuierlich früher. © Global Footprint Network www.footprintnetwork.org

It all started in 1971: the first Earth Overshoot Day came as a worrying Christmas present under the Christmas tree, so to speak.
It fell on December 25, but at least we were still almost on target.
However, the consumption of resources continued to increase and so did Earth Overshoot Day.
As early as 1974, it moved to November, from 1987 to October and in 1999 it was in September for the first time.
Since 2005, Earth Overshoot Day has been in August and is steadily approaching July.
In 2018 and 2022, Earth Overshoot Day was already on August 1, the earliest date to date.
Each time it was a little later the following year.
In 2024, it will fall on August 1 for the third time.
The coronavirus pandemic and specifically the year 2020 represent a notable break in the statistics.
Global lockdowns and restrictions, the decline in production and transportation had a drastic impact on people and the economy.
But energy and resource consumption and CO2 emissions also fell significantly and the Earth Overshoot Day slipped back to August 16.
However, the effect did not last long and was no longer strongly felt the following year.
If you follow the development of Earth Overshoot Day closely, you will have noticed the fluctuations.
From time to time the day is later than in the previous year or it is adjusted retrospectively.
This can also be related to optimizations in resource consumption.
However, the reasons are usually more precise calculation methods and improved data sets.

Overshoot Day for Germany

Calculated for Germany alone, Overshoot Day is even earlier.
In 2024, it already fell on May 2.
This means that if every country consumed resources like we do in Germany, everything the planet can offer and regenerate would already be used up by that day.
In other words, if everyone lived like we do, we would need three Earths.
Compared to previous years, not much has changed with regard to Germany’s Overshoot Day.
It is consistently at the beginning of May – except for the outlier in 2020 due to coronavirus.
So we haven’t got worse in Germany, but we haven’t really improved either.

Der Country Overshoot Day für Deutschland ist 2024 auf den 2. Mai gefallen. Würden alle Menschen auf der so leben wie wir in Deutschland, wären an diesem Tag alle natürlichen Ressourcen, die uns eigentlich zur Verfügung stehen, aufgebraucht. Das bedeutet: Wir bräuchten drei Erden. © Global Footprint Network www.footprintnetwork.org

However, it is also worth taking a look at other countries for comparison.
The three earliest Country Overshoot Days in 2024 were in:

Qatar: February 11
Luxembourg; February 20
United Arab Emirates: March 4

The three countries for which the respective Country Overshoot Day was calculated for the latest date are:

Guinea: December 27
Moldova: December 28
Kyrgyzstan: December 30

And to conclude the comparison, let’s take a look at three G12 countries:

USA: March 14
France: May 7
China: June 1

What Earth Overshoot Day means for your company

Earth Overshoot Day is first and foremost a wake-up call to humanity.
The initiators want to show that our actions can lead to unpleasant consequences.
And these consequences will also be felt by companies, or are already being felt.
One example is extreme weather events such as droughts or floods, which are occurring more frequently and more intensively as a result of climate change.
They show how vulnerable global supply chains are.
The consequences are often crop failures, shortages of raw materials or blocked transport routes.
All of this is already leading to bottlenecks in supply and production – and the trend is currently increasing rather than decreasing.

3 tips for sustainable resource management in your company

Resource consumption affects us all.
Even as private individuals, we can make a difference.
The WWF lists various ways for end consumers to live more sustainably and thus push back the date of World Exhaustion Day.
“Buy green, consume less and eat less meat” is the succinct but effective recommendation for private individuals.
However, one of the biggest levers for saving resources worldwide is the economy.
Anyone who now thinks that sustainability is just something for a clear conscience or regulatory reporting obligations is mistaken: sustainable management brings business value, creates competitive advantages and strengthens the future viability and resilience of companies.
Many measures can save you money.
These three tips will help you get closer to sustainable resource management:

The three big Rs – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

One of the most effective methods for establishing sustainable resource management in a company is the circular economy.
It starts with the big three Rs: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.
It is about reducing the use of resources and materials, reusing products and reusing the materials from one product in another product.
One approach is an internal recycling process in which production waste is collected, processed and reused.
This can significantly reduce waste and thus the amount of raw materials required.
In addition, recycled or bio-based materials can be ordered from suppliers.
Resources can also be saved during shipping.
For example, packaging that can be reused.
But also in transport itself.
There are special pooling systems for pallet cages and Euro pallets – a reusable system for load carriers, so to speak.
Empty runs by truck should also be avoided.
But savings can also be made quite simply in the office.
For example, in water or energy consumption.
Refillable printer cartridges produce less waste.
Or you can switch completely to a paperless office.
Incidentally, the three big Rs are just the beginning: the circular economy goes a big step further and focuses on the 10 Rs. The concept and many other interesting facts about the circular economy can be found in this blog post “How the circular economy works and what it can achieve in Germany“.

Save energy and use it more efficiently

Energy is an important resource for every company – which is why it makes sense to start here.
The range of measures to save energy and use it efficiently is very broad.
It starts with obvious and simple steps:

Use LED instead of halogen lamps
Install motion detectors for the lighting
Adjusting the brightness of screens downwards
Use laptops instead of desktop computers

You should also take a systematic approach here – an energy management system in accordance with ISO 50001, for example, is helpful.
Although individual measures can lead to savings, they can also cause problems in other areas.
Therefore, look at the big picture and start looking for energy guzzlers.
Air conditioning, heating and ventilation often offer opportunities for optimization.
Important: Also check whether there is a state subsidy for the replacement.
Or have you ever thought about hosting your website?
With tools such as the Website Carbon Calculator, you can calculate the CO2 footprint of your company website in no time at all.
In the blog post “How to communicate your sustainability on your website“, we provide simple tips under point 6 on how to make your website more sustainable without any design or coding knowledge.
Another way to save energy: your company can become an electricity producer itself.
Photovoltaic systems are not only suitable for building roofs, but also for parking lots.
Not only do you generate green electricity and cover part of your energy requirements, you also create a source of shade.
You can also participate in local wind farms.

Sensitize and train employees

Employees are the key to a company’s success.
This applies not only to purely financial success, but also to the implementation of ESG initiatives.
It is therefore important to sensitize the entire team to sustainable action and train them accordingly.
This firmly anchors sustainability in the corporate culture.
During workshops, you should emphasize waste separation and avoidance and give tips on saving water and energy.
If everyone, or at least many people, adapt their behavior a little, a lot can be achieved.
One question that everyone should ask themselves, for example: Do I really need to print out this document or will it suffice in digital form?
One major lever is the transport sector.
Switch to public transport for business trips within Germany.
At the same time, your company can reward environmentally friendly behavior – for example with rental bikes or a subsidy for public transport.

Is your company doing enough in terms of sustainability?
Here’s how to find out

A sustainability report is a good measurement tool for companies in terms of ESG and implementation.
It allows you to determine the status quo and see your development over the years.
On this basis, you can develop or adapt measures and targets.
The CSRD reporting obligation may even mean that your company is obliged to prepare a sustainability report.
VERSO provides you with comprehensive support for this task.
With the VERSO ESG Hub, you can collect all relevant data and create a meaningful sustainability report.
The Climate Hub also calculates the corporate carbon footprint. And the VERSO Sustainability Experts will support you throughout the entire process. Would you like to acquire even more knowledge about ESG and sustainability yourself? Then it’s worth visiting our VERSO Academy. In the online courses, you and your colleagues can learn all about sustainability in the company – now with a brand new course for specialists and managers.

* This information is summarized editorial content and should not be construed as legal advice. VERSO accepts no liability.

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Mann im Anzug mit Fahrrad – Symbolbild für Nachhaltigkeit im Unternehmen

23.04.2024

Why is sustainability important for companies? Facts & Figures 2024

Sustainability is becoming increasingly important – not only for private individuals, but also for companies. This article shows why you should not regard sustainability as a mere compulsory exercise.

5 facts why sustainability is important for companies

ESG issues (environmental, social and governance) are playing an increasingly important role in business. And rightly so: sustainability and sustainable action bring many advantages to a company – as various surveys show. Sustainability is therefore important because:

it ensures the continued existence of the company
it ensures economic success in the future,
it increases employee motivation,
it strengthens customer loyalty to the company
and because it creates new jobs.

ESG has developed into a topic that has become increasingly important for both private households and companies. For companies, sustainability is no longer just a label that can be marketed nicely. In addition to ethical aspects, it also brings major economic benefits – for example in the recruitment of employees, customer loyalty and, as a result, greater economic success. However, in order to implement sustainability efforts in a targeted manner, companies should not just implement loose measures, but rather develop a sustainability strategy – with concrete goals, measures and key figures for monitoring.

Sustainability ensures economic success

Sustainability is no longer limited to sorting waste in the office, but has a strong influence on many fundamental sectors of a company. Therefore, switching to sustainable business practices can of course be time-consuming and cost-intensive. But the effort is worth it, as these four studies show:

95% of respondents to the Ramboll’s 2019 Sustainability Survey stated that ESG is an important factor for long-term economic success. The reason: consumers are increasingly buying regional and ecologically valuable products.
45 % of the KPMG 2022 CEO Outlook executives surveyed (globally) stated that ESG measures improve their company’s financial performance.
67 % of the Sustainability Monitor 2024 companies surveyed recognize added value in CSRD for the further development of the company.
55 % of the KPMG 2024 U.S. CEO Outlook executives surveyed expect to see a significant ROI from their ESG initiatives in the next three to five years.

Infografik: Studien, wie sich Nachhaltigkeit auf den wirtschaftlichen Erfolg von Unternehmen auswirkt

Sustainability secures the future of companies

However, ESG commitment not only ensures that the company is in a good financial position. It is becoming increasingly clear that the climate crisis and its consequences are becoming a real threat to established business models and that business as usual is no longer sustainable. Conversely, this means that sustainable transformation ensures the long-term survival of companies.

55 % of the Capgemini of the German companies surveyed recognize that something has to change: they consider climate change to be the main cause of future disruptions to operations.
61% of the managers surveyed worldwide in the same study are of the opinion that a lack of sustainability strategy will become an existential risk in the long term.

Infografik: Studien, wie Nachhaltigkeit die Zukunft von Unternehmen sichert

Stronger customer loyalty through sustainable business practices

Satisfied customers are usually also loyal customers – as shown by a survey by Capgemini Study Sustainability in CPR 2020:

Three quarters of the companies surveyed from the consumer goods industry and retail sector stated that the inclusion of sustainability increases their customer loyalty.
79 % change their purchasing behavior in favor of more sustainability.
66% even select products and services specifically according to how sustainable they are.

This is in stark contrast to the 36% of large companies that were also surveyed in this study – and stated that sustainability does not play a major role for their customers. In the study, Deloitte examined The Sustainable Customer 2023study, Deloitte investigated what consumers want from companies when it comes to sustainability. The result: more transparency and honesty, among other things. 34% would trust a brand more if its ESG measures were verified by an independent third party – as the new Green Claims Directive aims to achieve.

Infografik: Studien, wie sich Nachhaltigkeit die Kundenbindung stärkt

Sustainability – the key to motivated employees

However, satisfaction must not only come from outside, but also from within. After all, motivated employees do more for their company. A company with a sustainable focus can provide precisely this additional motivation boost – and also give itself a real advantage in the search for talent:

67 % of the employees surveyed for the report Sustainability in CPR report stated that the integration of ESG issues in the company had increased employee motivation.
The EIB Climate Survey 2023 found that 56% of people surveyed value an employer that thinks (and acts!) sustainably.
For almost a fifth of the younger job seekers surveyed in this study, sustainability is even the criterion when choosing an employer.
And an HR survey by Gartner found that a strong ESG culture can increase employee engagement by up to 43%.

Infografik: Studien, wie sich Nachhaltigkeit Mitarbeitermotivation fördert und bei der Talentsuche unterstützt

Sustainability creates jobs

All of these factors play a role in economic success.
However, the benefits of a sustainable economy can also be seen in the economy as a whole.
According to a study by Deloitte, Germany will generate around 12 billion euros in additional gross value added per year by 2030, creating 177,000 new jobs in the process.
In addition to economic successes, 5.5 million tons of greenhouse gases will also be saved each year.

Infografik: 3 Fakten, welche Vorteile eine Nachhaltige Transformation der Wirtschaft bzw. eine Kreislaufwirtschaft für Deutschland bringt

* This information is summarized editorial content and should not be construed as legal advice. VERSO accepts no liability.

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26.03.2024

Green Claims Directive: EU takes action against greenwashing

While many companies are making efforts to become more sustainable by changing their business practices, there are unfortunately also some black sheep: companies that present themselves as sustainable in order to gain the associated benefits (e.g. customer trust or investor interest), but in reality do not keep their promises. To curb this, the EU Parliament has approved the Green Claims Directive.

Environmental information is often misleading

In January 2023, DIE ZEIT and The Guardian published an explosive story about the leading provider of CO2 certificates Verra.
According to the story, some of the carbon credits used by companies to offset their greenhouse gas emissions were not actually reducing carbon emissions.
Another study by the European Commission found that more than half of the environmental claims made by companies in the EU were vague or misleading, with a whopping 40% of claims being completely unsubstantiated.
And green labels are also misleading consumers: half of all green labels offer weak or non-existent verification.

The EU’s response: the Green Claims Directive

To combat these practices, the EU Commission published a draft of the Green Claims Directive on March 22, 2023.
Almost exactly one year later, on March 13, 2024, the European Parliament voted in favor of the Green Claims Directive with 467 votes in favor, 65 against and 74 abstentions.
The dossier will be pursued by the new Parliament after the European elections in June.
The directive is part of the Circular Economy Action Plan, which also includes, for example, the recently adopted right to repair.
The objectives of the new regulation:

Green statements throughout the EU should be reliable, comparable and verifiable;
Consumers should be protected from greenwashing;
The directive is intended to contribute to a circular and green EU economy by enabling consumers to make informed purchasing decisions;
The aim is to create a level playing field with regard to the environmental performance of products.

Which environmental claims are affected by the Green Claims Directive?

The Green Claims Directive deals with statements in the context of
communication that indicate that a product or a company is

has a positive or no impact on the environment,
is less harmful to the environment than other products or companies or
that its effect has improved over time.

Experience has shown that environmental claims such as “green“, “climate-neutral” or “100% CO2-compensated” are often misleading and can easily mislead consumers.
The EU wants to create more transparency with explicit regulations for climate-related claims, especially when it comes to CO2 offsetting projects and methods.

Will “green claims” be banned?

Companies are still encouraged to communicate about their sustainability activities or the sustainability of their products.
Nevertheless, there are restrictions on how and what can be communicated.
For example, it is important for sustainability labels to be based on a certification system, and general environmental claims are prohibited if there is no evidence of performance.
Environmental claims may also not be made for an entire product if they only relate to one aspect.
You can find out which environmental claims companies need to pay particular attention to in the white paper on the Green Claims Directive.

What are the consequences of the Anti-Greenwashing Directive for companies?

The directive now requires companies to provide evidence of their environmental claims, have them independently audited and then communicate them transparently.
Those who do not comply with the directive can expect hefty fines and exclusion from public tenders.
We have explained the specifics of the verification process, the differences to other laws and the possible consequences of non-compliance in detail in our white paper.

What does the directive achieve against greenwashing?

With the introduction of the new set of rules against greenwashing, consumers will once again be able to rely more on information in sustainability reports, on websites and on product packaging.
The growing number of private eco-labels will be restricted if the label is awarded on the basis of unsubstantiated claims.
This way, consumers will no longer have to wade through a jungle of eco-labels.
Restricting greenwashing also means that competition will be fairer.
Companies that really want to make a difference will get more attention and an advantage on the market.
And, of course, our planet will benefit if companies actually drive forward the sustainable transformation.

We support you with your sustainability communication

VERSO supports the EU project to curb greenwashing.
In this context, we also advise you and your company on sustainability communication.
Our sustainability consultants will help you to publish meaningful information while remaining truthful – whether as part of a sustainability report or other internal and external forms of communication.

Please write to us. We can help you.

* This information is summarized editorial content and should not be construed as legal advice. VERSO accepts no liability.

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Nachhaltigkeit auf der Website kommunizieren

18.12.2023

How to communicate your sustainability on the website

Your company is sustainable – but do potential customers know that? In this article, you will find 6 tips for communicating your sustainability measures credibly on your website.

More and more consumers are specifically choosing companies based on sustainability aspects – and more and more companies have to pay close attention to ensuring that everything is above board in their supply chain since the LkSG came into force.

Sustainability is increasingly becoming an important criterion when making purchasing and partnership decisions. And what better way than your own website to inform potential customers and partners about your sustainability efforts? So it’s high time to put your company’s sustainability efforts in the spotlight.

But what’s the best way to do this?

6 tips for communicating sustainability credibly on the website

Tip 1: Transparency and measurable data

Facts, facts, facts: Solid figures are still the most credible. That’s why our first tip is to provide a detailed sustainability report on your website – e.g. as a separate page or as a downloadable PDF document. The report shows existing measures, but also describes what your company will implement in the future. In addition, show prominently and separately to the report what goals you have set yourself and what measures you intend to take to achieve them. Also state openly where there is still a need for action. From 2024, the CSRD will require around 15,000 companies to publish a sustainability report anyway. However, a voluntary report is also a good thing for all companies that want to clearly show: “We take sustainability seriously!”

Tip 2: Awards from independent bodies

Has your company been certified for sustainability measures? Then be sure to place the relevant seals and certificates on your website! External confirmation of your sustainability efforts increases credibility enormously. Important here:

Don’t hide your awards in a small section on a subpage that isn’t even linked in the menu.
Whether as a banner on the homepage or as a separate menu item: If you do good, it’s okay to show it!
Look for awards from recognized, independent bodies.
Certificates and seals that any company can simply buy with enough money harbor the risk of greenwashing.

Speaking of greenwashing: you can find out how to avoid the most common stumbling blocks in the article “The five biggest greenwashing traps and how to avoid them”.

Tip 3: Present cooperations

Where do you source your raw materials or goods? Which companies do you work with – and how sustainable are they? Do you cooperate with environmental, animal welfare or human rights organizations with which your company creates impact beyond its own backyard? What projects is your company involved in? These are all interesting points that you should definitely not sweep under the carpet! Show how you are getting involved and actively shaping the change towards sustainability through your responsibility. But be careful not to fall into any greenwashing traps here either.

Tip 4: Show commitment

Was the fact that you planted a flowering meadow next to the company headquarters in 2020 the latest news in terms of sustainability? Hopefully not! If you really want to communicate your company’s sustainability credibly, you should plan for the long term – ideally on the basis of a holistic sustainability strategy. In any case, describe what your company has already achieved. List how sustainability is currently practiced. For example, through a healthy working environment for your employees or fair pay in your own supply chain. After all, sustainability is not just about the environment. But also show what you are planning for the future. Present long-term sustainability goals with clear milestones on your website. Make sustainability an integral part of your company’s purpose statement. Share progress reports. Continuity and commitment are still the best way to show that sustainability was more than just a short-term marketing measure for you.

Tip 5: Be honest

Honesty lasts the longest. This also applies to sustainability communication. No company is 100% sustainable – so don’t try to pull sustainability measures out of the air. Present your previous measures and successes, but also admit openly and honestly where there may still be a problem. This will not make you look bad – on the contrary! It shows that your company is seriously thinking about sustainability.

Tip 6: Demonstrate sustainability with a sustainable website

Last but not least, a point that is easy to forget at first glance: if you want to emphasize the sustainability of your company, you should definitely take a close look at your website! Tools such as the Website Carbon Calculator will calculate the CO2 footprint of your website in no time at all.

Is your website more of a global average? Then look out for specialists in green web design to exploit the full sustainability potential of your site.

Until then, some simple tips like these will help you to make your website more sustainable without any design or coding knowledge:

Reduce file sizes (images and videos).
Check whether your site is powered by coal – you can do this very quickly using the Green Web Foundation tool, for example. If not, switch to a web hosting provider with transparently traceable green electricity.
Design your website to be barrier-free in order to also do justice to social sustainability – a first step here would be descriptive texts for images, for example.
Take the plunge and declutter so that outdated content and superfluous tools don’t continue to waste energy for no reason.

We wish you every success – and are happy to help if you need support with your sustainability communication!

Holistic sustainability consulting

* This information is summarized editorial content and should not be construed as legal advice. VERSO accepts no liability.

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23.04.2024

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26.03.2024

Green Claims Directive: EU takes action against greenwashing

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Bankgebäude in Frankfurt: Zukünftig fließt das ESG-Commitment in Kreditentscheidungen ein

03.11.2023

ESG in financing: This data decides on loans

“Your loan application has been rejected.” Some companies may hear this or similar sentences more often in the future. The reason: they were unable to provide the ESG data requested by the bank or meet the requirements. After all, sustainability is also becoming increasingly important in the financial sector. Read this article to find out how ESG data affects financing and what data companies need to provide now to ensure their loan applications continue to be approved.

How to take a closer look at financing applications

Sufficient equity, high cash flow, a secure market position and a solid corporate strategy – if a company could demonstrate this when applying for financing, the loan was as good as secure.
This is now a thing of the past.
This is because ESG criteria are now also included in the credit decision.
But how does this come about?
Let’s take a quick deep dive to answer this question.
If you are not so familiar with financial topics: Don’t worry – even though we’ll be taking a close look at all the important points, we’ll stay in the non-swimmer’s area.

Green Deal, Climate Protection Act, SFDR, MaRisk: many requirements – one goal

The background to this new development is a large number of requirements as part of the EU’s sustainability strategy.
Let’s work our way from the outside in.
With the European Green Deal, the member states of the EU have committed themselves to the sustainable transformation of society, the economy and industry.
The EU wants to become climate-neutral by 2050.
At the same time, Germany has set itself the target of becoming greenhouse gas neutral by 2045 with its new Climate Protection Act .
Europe is playing a pioneering role internationally with this plan.
The task now is to put the Green Deal into practice and find ways to get the sustainable transformation moving.
And probably the most powerful lever for tangible change in the economy is – precisely – money.
If you want to drive sustainability forward, you have to redirect financial flows.

Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation

With the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation(SFDR), the EU introduced a measure in 2019 that obliges financial market participants such as banks and credit institutions to be more sustainable.
The SFDR’s approach: banks must make the sustainability and ESG aspects of their financial products transparent.
How do ESG criteria affect the products?
And conversely, how does financial trading affect the environment and society?
The 7th MaRisk amendment obliges banks, among other things, to take ESG aspects and risks into account when making and monitoring lending decisions.
Similar to what insurance providers have been doing for years, banks and credit institutions will therefore check, for example, which industry a company belongs to, how high its emissions are or what the situation is regarding equal rights.
According to the study “Consideration of ESG criteria in the credit process for corporate customers” (2023), only 38% of the banks surveyed take ESG risks into account.
However, the consequences of this development are already being felt.
For example, banks and funds already rejected STEAG’s application in 2021 – partly because the electricity producer operates several coal-fired power plants and is pursuing an uncertain coal phase-out strategy.

No financing without an ESG check: banks want to see this data now

In addition to the general CSR reporting obligation, there are therefore further obligations – at least for companies that require financing.
But what specific sustainability information is now required?
The Association of German Banks has put together an initial list of questions that compiles sustainability KPIs.
The basic ESG KPI catalog is based on the CSRD, the EU taxonomy and various reporting standards such as GRI.
In addition to general information on the company, you will find questions on the following ESG aspects in this overview:

Environmental and transitory risks – e.g: What proportion of your company’s business activities have a negative impact on biodiversity or the ecosystem?
Physical risks – e.g: What measures has your company taken or planned to reduce physical risks?
Social – e.g.: Does your company have an anti-discrimination policy?
Governance – e.g.: Is the remuneration of the management level in your company (also) linked to the fulfillment of sustainability targets?

The banking association admits that this catalog is not complete and is not binding for banks.
For companies, this means: collect your ESG data in a structured way and keep an overview.
This will make it easier for you to quickly provide your bank with all the ESG data it needs when applying for financing.
VERSO supports you in this – with software, services and training.

ESG data management with VERSO

* This information is summarized editorial content and should not be construed as legal advice. VERSO accepts no liability.

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09.10.2023

The five biggest greenwashing traps and how to avoid them

100% sustainable, climate-neutral or bio-plastic – what it says on a product doesn’t always have to be true. There are countless examples of greenwashing that we have all heard of. Greenwashing often happens unknowingly. The list of stumbling blocks is long. Find out what they are and how to avoid them in this article about the five most common pitfalls.

1. confusing data situation and opaque sustainability reports

Data is the basis for a meaningful sustainability report.
This allows you to document and underline your sustainability ambitions.
It is important that it is accurate, complete and audit-proof.
This is because sustainability reports must be checked by an external auditor as part of the CSRD.
It is best to maintain your data clearly in a specialized tool; we have developed the VERSO ESG Hub especially for this purpose.
This makes it easier for you,

check the data for accuracy,
interpret the key figures correctly,
quickly recognize the actual status quo and
keep track of the development of your company.

This prepares you for active communication free of greenwashing and enables you to answer critical questions confidently and based on data.

2. scope 1, 2, 3 – all included?

When you create a carbon footprint, it is already a major challenge to gather all the relevant data from your own company.
However, it can be even more challenging if you need climate data from other companies for the_{CO2 footprint}.
This is because not only the emissions that a company itself emits have to be taken into account, but also those in the value chain!
Many companies “only” record the emissions in Scope 1 and 2 in their first carbon footprint.
2. This includes, for example, direct emissions from fossil fuels such as gas and heating oil or the company’s own vehicle fleet (Scope 1) and indirect emissions from the generation of purchased electricity, steam, heat and cooling (Scope 2).
However, to make a statement about your actual greenhouse gas emissions, you also need the information from Scope 3.
3, which includes all upstream and downstream emissions along your company’s value chain (purchased goods or raw materials, business trips and transportation).

Did you know that the majority of CO2 emissions come from Scope 3?

Recording Scope 3 is much more laborious than just Scope 1 and 2, as you need a lot of data from other companies.
Nevertheless, you should include this area in your reporting as soon as possible.
It helps to engage in dialog with stakeholders and get digital help.
The VERSO Supply Chain Hub gives you an overview of the emissions in your supply chain.
In this way, you avoid the risk of making false statements about your sustainability due to a lack of data.

3. don’t exaggerate, stick to the facts!

A careless word is quickly uttered, the data is no longer fully remembered or superlatives and exaggerated statements are added in all the euphoria.
Many greenwashing accusations have their origins in marketing activities that portray the company in too good a light.
Be careful what you put out there!
Four tips on how to create credible and accurate content:

4. cherry-picking makes you look untrustworthy

Precisely because there are so many examples of greenwashing, stakeholders are scrutinizing a company’s sustainability statements more and more closely.
Companies must communicate transparently so that stakeholders consider their communication on the topic to be credible and effective.
We advise against “cherry picking”, i.e. communicating a few positive results or activities!
A small positive initiative quickly becomes unnaturally inflated.
Holistic approach is the keyword here: talk about the need for action that your organization still has, share your ambitions and goals, communicate the challenges that you still have to overcome as a company.
This will show that your company is not treating sustainability as a one-off project, but is striving for serious and holistically effective changes.

5. activities lack reference to the company or product

The activities you communicate about must be appropriate to your company, its products and its size.
Buying your first e-car out of a fleet of 500 diesel vehicles is more likely to attract criticism than applause.
However, if your activities fit into the corporate context, the seriousness of your ambitions will be comprehensible to external stakeholders.
And: your employees will also identify with it and be enthusiastic about getting involved.
A materiality analysis is helpful here: this allows you to identify the areas in which the company has a high negative or positive impact on the environment and society or which could be relevant from a financial perspective.
The findings can then be used to tackle the issues that really make a difference.

Tips for greenwashing phrases that you should avoid:

There are certain phrases that you know as soon as you read them: There is little or nothing behind them.
The EU Commission and the European Council list a number of such expressions in their proposal for the Green Claims Directive.
Here is a summarized list of greenwashing phrases that you should avoid in your communication:

Afraid of greenwashing? No “green silence” please!

You should no longer be afraid of greenwashing.
What we are observing: Because companies see how easily sustainability communication can become greenwashing and how much this can damage the company, they don’t talk about their activities in the first place.
A domino effect: if no company communicates about sustainability, everyone thinks that the others are doing nothing and therefore does less themselves than they actually could.
This spiral of silence slows down the sustainable transformation of companies and therefore the entire economy.

With this overview, we want to achieve the opposite: We hope to have encouraged you to communicate transparently and effectively about your sustainability strategy and activities.

Avoid greenwashing? VERSO supports you!

If you need support in communicating and preparing your sustainability report, we will be happy to help you: With our ESG software, you can collect all relevant data and report in compliance with CSRD.
We are also on hand to advise you on your journey to sustainable transformation.
At the VERSO Academy, you can also train to become a CSR specialist.

Please write to us. We can help you.

* This information is summarized editorial content and should not be construed as legal advice. VERSO accepts no liability.

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Best practices in the areas of ESG and sustainable supply chains
Developed with expertise from 12+ years of sustainability management
Sustainability events and much more.

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24.05.2023

5 sustainability measures with real impact

5 ESG measures with real impact

Many companies have already recognized that sustainability is no longer a trend, but a necessity.
Customers, investors and other stakeholders expect companies to treat their employees fairly and do their bit to protect the environment.
In short: implement ESG issues within the company.
However, instead of seeing sustainability as a sincere task, some companies unfortunately see their sustainability efforts primarily as “green” marketing.
In particular, the purchase of CO2 certificates to minimize their own CO2 footprint, which is subject to criticism, harbours the risk of greenwashing.
Measures that minimize or prevent emissions are more effective than compensating for them afterwards.
In this blog article, we present five ESG measures that have a real impact – for your sustainability and your company.

Make your business operations energy-efficient

Focus on energy efficiency to reduce your environmental footprint.
Start by developing an energy concept: examine existing lighting, heating and cooling systems in your building and look for energy efficiency labels when selecting IT hardware and other equipment.
Even with external data centers that host your software or website, for example, you can save a lot on emissions by choosing energy-efficient providers.

Adopt a circular economy approach

Design your products so that they are durable, can be repaired and recycled at the end of their life cycle.
You can introduce recycling programs for your products and inform your customers about the entire product life cycle.
Product instructions can also include repair instructions and alternative reuse options to limit the throw-away mentality.

Invest in the satisfaction of your employees

Sustainability is a multifaceted issue that is often associated with climate protection.
However, we must not neglect the social aspect.
An important component of sustainability lies in the satisfaction of the workforce, because satisfied employees who are treated fairly stay with the company longer and are more motivated.
Offer fair pay, attractive employee benefits and opportunities for further training.
A healthy work-life balance, a good error culture and opportunities for co-determination help to create a positive working environment and allow your employees to develop their full potential.
In order to build a diverse and inclusive workforce, diversity and inclusion should be part of your company’s identity and part of the recruitment process.

Optimize your supply chain

For many companies, the supply chain is a black box.
However, a sustainable supply chain is crucial to achieving your corporate ESG goals.
Choose responsible suppliers and partners who adhere to high ethical and sustainable standards.
Where possible, give preference to regional suppliers to reduce transportation distances and support the local economy.
Due to often globally networked supply chains, this is no easy task.
With the VERSO Supply Chain Hub, you can create transparency in your supply chain.

Demonstrate transparency and accountability

Talk openly about your sustainability efforts, set yourself concrete, ambitious goals and remain open to continuous improvement.
It is important to put your money where your mouth is and communicate the results transparently.
Publish your ESG data, targets and measures in a regular sustainability report to keep your stakeholders informed and document your progress. Our conclusion: Every step towards sustainability is a step in the right direction, but true sustainability requires a comprehensive rethink and the integration of sustainable principles into all aspects of the company.
Remember that sustainability is an ongoing process and take the time to evaluate and continuously improve your strategy.
The VERSO team will be happy to support you on your path to sustainability with our ESG software and advice from our sustainability experts.

Please write to us. We can help you.

* This information is summarized editorial content and should not be construed as legal advice. VERSO accepts no liability.

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23.09.2019

Wie mittelständische Unternehmen mit CSR zukunftsfähig bleiben

Ein erster Auszug des Gastbeitrags von einem unserer Gründer Andreas Maslo erschienen im PRIMEPULSE MAGAZIN.

Warum ist Nachhaltigkeit gerade für den Mittelstand so wichtig und was haben Unternehmen konkret davon?

Weltweit gibt es rund 2.700 sogenannte „Hidden Champions“. 48% davon sind deutsche Mittelständler (1.307), so der BVMW – Bundesverband mittelständische Wirtschaft, Unternehmerverband Deutschlands e.V.. Über ein Drittel der erwirtschafteten Umsätze wird vom Mittelstand erwirtschaftet, in dem fast zwei Drittel aller sozialversicherungspflichtigen Beschäftigten in Deutschland beschäftigt sind. Zudem kommt die hohe Anerkennung als treibende Kraft und starker Partner für Großunternehmen weltweit sowie wesentliches Glied diverser Wertschöpfungsketten. Um nur ein paar tatkräftige Fakten aufzuführen. Unser „German Mittelstand“ ist eine Erfolgsgeschichte die von Vordenkern, Unternehmertalenten und Machern sowie Macherinnen geprägt ist und oftmals eine lange Tradition hat.

Was sind heute und morgen noch die großen Hebel, um erfolgreich zu bleiben und noch erfolgreicher zu werden?

Künstliche Intelligenz, Automatisierung, Industrie 4.0, Blockchain, Quantencomputing, der „War on Talents“ und nicht zuletzt die Digitalisierung sind Buzzwords, die heute allgegenwärtig sind. Als hätten Unternehmenslenker mit der Potenzialanalyse all dieser Begriffe und der globalwirtschaftlichen Volatilität nicht genug zu tun, werden sie noch aus einer ganz anderen Ecke in die Pflicht genommen – Kunden, Mitarbeiter und Öffentlichkeit erwarten einen positiven gesellschaftlichen Beitrag von Unternehmen – mehr denn je.

Wir alle spüren die Auswirkungen des Klimawandels längst im eigenen Umfeld und wissen, dass diese exponentiell schnell zunehmen werden, wenn wir nichts tun. Gleichzeitig wird auch der Ruf nach sozialer Gerechtigkeit immer lauter und will gehört werden, um die Welt friedlich und intakt zu halten. Konsumenten entscheiden bewusster, welche Unternehmen sie unterstützen.

Um dies als Unternehmen in Einklang zu bringen und Verantwortung zu übernehmen, gilt es die Auswirkungen des unternehmerischen Handelns auf die Gesellschaft (ökonomisch, ökologisch und sozial) strategisch zu denken und umzusetzen. Eine Studie der Technischen Universität Dortmund ergab, dass 74 % der Befragten im Mittelstand sich bereits mit Nachhaltigkeit auseinandersetzen. 80% gaben an, dass Nachhaltigkeit von der Unternehmensführung in die Unternehmensstrategie integriert werden sollte. Letztendlich hat aber nur jedes zweite mittelständische Unternehmen tatsächlich eine Strategie, wie sich Nachhaltigkeit in ihr unternehmerisches Handeln integrieren lässt. Dies wird sich in den nächsten Jahren mit Sicherheit massiv ändern, da nachhaltig agierende Unternehmen schlicht erfolgreicher sind.

Woran das liegt und warum es sich besonders im Mittelstand lohnt, Nachhaltigkeit in der Unternehmensstrategie zu verankern und zu leben, hängt vor allem mit den folgenden drei Punkten zusammen…

Hier gehts zum ganzen Artikel auf magazine.primepulse.de

* Bei diesen Informationen handelt es sich um redaktionell zusammengefassten Content, der nicht als Rechtsberatung zu verstehen ist. VERSO übernimmt keine Haftung.

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Supply Chain Decarbonization: How To Achieve Your Climate Goals

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Climate Action Is No Longer Optional

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Step 1: Estimate Scope 3 Emissions

Step 2: Identify Hotspots & Assess Supplier Climate Maturity

Step 3: Set Climate Targets & Engage Suppliers

Step 4: Implement & Scale Your Climate Strategy

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Get in touch with us. Together, we’ll find the right strategy to help your company reach its net zero goals!

* This information is summarized editorial content and should not be considered legal advice. VERSO assumes no liability.

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* This information is summarized editorial content and should not be considered legal advice. VERSO assumes no liability.

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* This information is summarized editorial content and should not be construed as legal advice. VERSO accepts no liability.

5 sustainability measures with real impact

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Why is sustainability important for companies? Facts & Figures 2024

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How do I create a sustainability report?

Sustainability ensures economic success

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* This information is summarized editorial content and should not be construed as legal advice. VERSO accepts no liability.

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Green Claims Directive: EU takes action against greenwashing

Environmental information is often misleading

CSRD: New requirements for sustainability reports

The EU’s response: the Green Claims Directive

Which environmental claims are affected by the Green Claims Directive?

Will “green claims” be banned?

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What does the directive achieve against greenwashing?

Your overview of the new Green Claims Directive

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